As thousands of fans streamed into Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on a cold Friday, the Wu-Tang Clan prepared to take to the stage for the last time in the city, as part of their global Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber Tour.
What should have been a home run of a tour, instead got off to a less-than-ideal start in Brisbane the night before. Billed as a tour that would feature “all living members” of Wu-Tang, fans were confused and ultimately disappointed to realise Method Man, Cappadonna, Raekwon and Young Dirty Bastard (YDB) had failed to make the trip to Australia.
While a social media post from the group confirmed Method Man would not be touring due to “unforeseen circumstances” mere days before, the absence of the other three members of Wu-Tang still has yet to be addressed. Understandably, fans and ticketholders online were quick to express their frustration and disappointment, and it was fair to assume that the vibe might be slightly off in Melbourne as a result.
Wrong.
Surrounded by fans of different ages, most dressed in different items of Wu-Tang merchandise, the tennis arena remained jam-packed with enthusiastic tension until the iconic Wu banner dropped to make way for RZA’s solo entrance.
Joined by U-God, Ghostface Killah, GZA, Masta Killa and Inspectah Deck, the group’s de facto leader wastes no time in launching into a three act production littered with hits, album cuts and a trailer for RZA’s 2025 action thriller film, One Spoonful of Chocolate.
Admittedly the addition of the trailer, as well as the requests for attendees to use QR codes to vote for the group’s induction to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, gives self-indulgence rather than celebratory of the legacy that has brought us all here. Thankfully, they aren’t prominent elements of the show.
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Instead, the show focuses on the chemistry that has been embedded in the foundations of Wu-Tang’s seven studio albums and multiple side-quests.
Image: Sosefina Fuamoli
Leaning into their two albums that helped define East Coast hip hop during its Golden Age in the 1990s – Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and Wu-Tang Forever – the collective trade bars and energy with ease, backed by a live band and vocalist Candi Lindsey, aka Blue Raspberry.
There’s no denying the impact of tracks like “Bring da Ruckus”, “Protect Ya Neck”, “Da Mystery of Chessboxin” and “Shame on a N***a” delivered in their original form, but the addition of live instrumentation tonight adds extra dynamism to the performance of the rappers, ultimately elevating the experience for the fans.
Act II features dips in and out of members’ solo catalogues; from GZA’s “Liquid Swords” and “4th Chamber”, to Ghostface’s “Cherchez LaGhost” and Raekwon’s hits “Criminology” and “Ice Cream”, this meaty element of the set serves as a poignant reminder of the Staten Island collective’s sphere of influence. The absence of Raekwon stings particularly during the renditions of his solo work, but his bandmates do well in doing these songs justice.
The legacy of Ol’ Dirty Bastard is celebrated (“Shimmy Shimmy Ya”, “Got Your Money”) during Wu-Tang’s third act, reserved for the bangers many attendees have likely been hanging out for; “Gravel Pit” and “C.R.E.A.M.” scratching the nostalgia itch.
Along with ODB, RZA takes pause to acknowledge fallen friends, peers and colleagues; an in memoriam section of the show that pays tribute to artists including Biz Markie, Phife Dawg (A Tribe Called Quest), Nate Dogg, Tupac, Nipsey Hussle and DMX. Oliver “Power” Grant, long-time Wu-Tang associate and executive producer, who passed away in February, is also celebrated – it being evident that his loss is something the entire group is still navigating with sensitivity.
For longtime fans, seeing these lyrical architects perform with confidence and a natural swagger is fulfilling on its own.
Ghostface Killah remains one of hip hop’s most important voices, the flourish and nuance found within his stories make their way to the stage with vigour. Armed with the smooth flow that has characterised his whole catalogue, GZA cuts an impressive figure on the Rod Laver Arena stage.
The signature flows of U-God, Inspectah Deck and Masta Killa; ranging from laidback to gruff and punishing, offer highlights as the night continues with renditions of tracks like “Severe Punishment”, “One Blood Under W” and “Reunited” giving each member to hold their own.
The Australian leg of the Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber Tour continues to Sydney before taking on Japan and North America.
Will it actually be the final time we see some combination of the crew perform? It remains to be seen. Some would say that as long as there’s money to be made off the brand, there’s always going to be potential to see Wu-Tang back again.
For now, this was an opportunity to celebrate the work of one of hip hop’s seminal groups. And despite the no-shows and disruptions that, if we’re honest, seem to be synonymous with the genre, the Wu-Tang Clan did well in reminding their audience that their music is timeless and still hits hard when it needs to.
Simply put, the catalogue remains nothin’ to fuck with.
